CRISSA NELSON | features editor
KARMEN DeLANCEY | staff writer
WITH AP SOURCES

The sixth anniversary of Sept. 1 raises questions about the infamous day's repercussions, including the conclusion of the war against terrorism.

The date Sept. 11 will never be just another day. It will always be remembered for the tragic events that took away innocent life in an attempt to crush morale and politically demobilize the once most powerful nation in the world.

The sixth anniversary of the attacks was no different. Overpasses were decorated with American flags signs to remind the nation to, “never forget.” Americans continue to mourn for those who lost loved ones and for the pain their country is still suffering in the wake of this enormous heartache.

Many countries throughout the world continue to grieve alongside America.

“[The] entire world remembers today the horrifying attack that hit America and plunged it into mourning on Sept. 11, 2001. The immense emotion and indignation that gripped the American people in the aftermath of these barbarous actions were felt throughout the entire world,” French President Nicolas Sarkozy wrote in a letter to President Bush.

Tributes were paid across Europe as people stood in Rome’s city hall square to place flowers in a memorial garden and family members in Britain stood together in remembrance while they mournfully read the names of 67 Britains killed in New York that day.

Leaders from 38 nations of Europe and Asia joined in Helsinki, Finland on the sixth anniversary to pay tribute and remember the tragedy of Sept. 11 in two minutes of silence.

And Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sent condolences as he said, “[Russia] sincerely shares the grief felt by American people on this day of mourning--perhaps like no other country.”

Tributes were paid in Japan, Australia, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia as well.

While many countries throughout the world also feel the threat of terrorism, the war in Iraq has caused world leaders to mix sympathy with cynicism towards the United States’ continued military action in the Middle East.

Head of the Polish parliament’s foreign relations committee, Pawel Zalewski, reflected the transition of U.S. support when he wrote, “Right after Sept. 11 the world was united with Americans. Their moral leadership was unquestioned. However, this strong moral authority was abused as a result of the Iraq war.”

Hundreds of demonstrators in Caracas, Venezuela agreed as they took to the streets criticizing the U.S. for invading Iraq and Afghanistan, claiming U.S. actions carried out since Sept. 11, 2001 are what they call “imperialist terrorism.”

Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel, claims that while targeting terrorists and their source is a vital cause, “the ends don’t always justify the means.”

“In the fight against international terror, respect for human rights, tolerance and respect for other cultures must be the maxim of our actions, along with decisiveness and international cooperation,” Merkel said.

 Many Americans would agree. During the months following the World Trade Center attacks Americans joined together with enthusiasm to win the “War on Terror.” Six years later, the war on Iraq has lost much of its support.

With American death tolls at over 3,000 and Iraqi deaths towering above, the repercussions of the last five years of U.S. occupation in Iraq and the blurred view of any hope for a successful end in sight has caused frustration and confusion among the American people. The question arising is whether these means, justified or not, will ever reach the ends.